Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments) Regulations 1997 (“the principal Regulations”) which provide for payments to be made by means of a voucher system in respect of costs incurred by certain categories of persons in connection with the supply, replacement and repair of optical appliances.

Regulation 2(2) amends regulation 19 of the principal Regulations to increase the redemption value of a voucher issued towards the cost of replacement of a single contact lens and to increase the maximum contribution by way of voucher to the cost of a repair of a frame by an overall increase of approximately 2.5%.

Regulation 2(3), (4) and (5) amends the Schedules to the principal Regulations to increase the value of vouchers issued towards the costs of the supply and replacement of glasses and contact lenses, to increase the additional values for vouchers for prisms, tints, photochromic lenses and special categories of appliances and to increase the value of vouchers issued towards the cost of the repair and replacement of optical appliances. The rate of increase in the value of vouchers in these Regulations is approximately 2.5%.

Regulation 3 makes transitional provision. In relation to vouchers accepted or used on or before 31st March 2012, the old rates of payments will apply. For vouchers accepted or used on or after 1 April 2012, the new rates of payments will apply.